Albania Urged to Enhance Implementation of LGBT Protections Amid Discrimination

Despite legislative progress, Reid highlighted that LGBT individuals continue to face discrimination in various sectors such as education, healthcare, and employment.

The Government of Albania has made notable strides in creating a framework to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, more efforts are needed to ensure that laws and policies are effectively implemented to reflect the lived experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, an independent expert said today.

“At a time of considerable economic growth and social change in Albania, I was heartened to see clear evidence of the Government’s commitment to ensure that LGBT people in the country are not left behind and have equal opportunities to fully realize their potential in Albanian society,” stated Graeme Reid, the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Challenges and Discrimination:

Despite legislative progress, Reid highlighted that LGBT individuals continue to face discrimination in various sectors such as education, healthcare, and employment. They also encounter significant challenges in reporting bias-motivated violent crimes and accessing remedies for rights violations, largely due to prevailing stigma and discriminatory social attitudes.

Reid's Visit and Observations:

Reid's visit to Albania from July 1 to 12, 2024, involved meetings with government officials, civil society representatives, equality bodies, and individuals sharing their experiences of violence and discrimination. He visited Tirana, Shkoder, Kukes, Vlore, Sarande, and Korce, and commended Albania’s efforts to align domestic laws with international standards and its positive stance in international forums supporting LGBT rights.

“What stood out in my visit to Albania was the readiness of authorities at all levels to defend the human rights of LGBT persons, in line with the requirements of the National Action Plan on LGBTI Persons,” Reid remarked. He noted that some authorities actively sought his recommendations for improvement. However, many municipalities expressed the need for better data gathering, technical training, and resources to build awareness campaigns, school curricula, and protection mechanisms.

Discrepancies and Needed Actions:

Reid pointed out a significant disparity between official statistics and public perceptions regarding the extent of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This discrepancy was also noted in research conducted by civil society groups. Both officials and activists agreed on the necessity of putting anti-discrimination laws and policies into practice through adequate resource allocation and awareness-raising at all societal levels.

Future Recommendations:

Reid will present a comprehensive report on his visit to the Human Rights Council in June 2025, including recommendations for the Albanian government to address any shortcomings in line with international human rights laws and standards. This report aims to provide a roadmap for Albania to further enhance protections and improve the lives of LGBT individuals in the country.